Urinary bladder disorder after Spinosad (Comfortis) in dogs

The FDA has received 22 reports of urinary bladder disorder in dogs after Spinosad. That is 0.0% of all reports for this medicine, compared with 0.1% across reports for all dog medicines.

22Reports

77%Marked serious

18%Recovered

36%Died or euthanised

75 daysTypical onset

How soon it started

Same day

3 21%

1–2 days

1 7.1%

3–7 days

0 0.0%

1–4 weeks

0 0.0%

Over a month

10 71%

How the animals did

Recovered

2 9.1%

Recovered with lasting effects

2 9.1%

Still unwell when reported

6 27%

Died

5 23%

Euthanised

3 14%

Not known

4 18%

Problems reported at the same time

8 36%

7 32%

7 32%

7 32%

4 18%

Abnormal radiograph finding

4 18%

Frequent urination

4 18%

Swelling

4 18%

Age of the animals

Under 1 year

1–3 years

4–7 years

8–11 years

12+ years

About this medicine

Spinosad kills fleas; monthly chewable.

Products with this ingredient include Comfortis. The FDA hides brand names in its public data, so these reports cover every product with the same active ingredients.

Questions owners ask

Can Spinosad cause urinary bladder disorder in dogs?: 22 reports link the two, but a report alone does not prove the medicine was the cause: other illnesses, other medicines or coincidence can be involved. Your vet can judge it for your animal.
How soon after a dose was it reported?: In half of the reports with dates, it started within 75 days of the first dose.
What should I do?: Don't give another dose until you've spoken to your vet, and keep the packaging so you can tell them the product and dose. Your vet can also report it to the FDA (or you can, through the manufacturer or FDA form 1932a).

All reported side effects of Spinosad in dogs · Medicines most reported with urinary bladder disorder